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Endurance

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Hebrews 12:1-2

Endurance

a: the ability to do something difficult for a long time

b: the ability to deal with pain or suffering that continues for a long time

c: the quality of continuing for a long time

There can be so many impediments while we run this Christian race. It is in our sin nature to question our calling, to speculate during trials that we have been abandoned, to retreat back to a place of perceived safety when we are ridiculed. Sin does and will continue to cling closely to us, until the day we find ourselves in the presence of our Father. Sin will do its best to trip us up, so that we hang back and tend to our wounds; while we should be up and running the race set before us.

We also have to set aside the weight we carry. All of the care and concern we place on temporary things of this world that mean nothing: our earthy possessions, our status, our fondness for nothings. These are all burdens that we unnecessarily give more weight then they deserve.

So we are called to endure. That is a good indication that our race should not be comfortable to the point of being complacent. The word endurance suggests that we will have to deal with something difficult for a long time.

But! We have not been left alone to endure without hope or promise. We have as our Savior one who has endured the cross to redeem the world. He did it for the joy that was set before Him. He had joy because He knew that He was bringing a way for us to come to the Father. He saw something far beyond the suffering and humiliation that He had to endure for a while. He saw eternity.

So. Now we have Someone to look to for our strength; to be our endurance. In Christ we find that the things of this earth that give us slight, momentary pleasures pale in comparison to the eternal joy we will find with Him.

We are exhorted to Look to Jesus! Just as a child looks to a parent for guidance and love, we look to Him when the world around us tries to pry our eyes from the prize of eternal joy. We endure whatever the Lord allows us to come upon, knowing that we are living for the joy of Jesus, standing at the finish line, cheering us on.

Father, help us have the endurance to run the race You have placed before us. Remind our hearts Who we are racing toward.